I'm done with the semester, so I've got time to blog again!
I watch a lot of movies and TV. It's something I love, and I'm a good multi-tasker, so it's something I can do while I'm doing other things (Greek homework, for example). Now, for anyone who, like me, loves movies, Netflix Instant Watch is a godsend. It's packed full of fantastic titles that you can watch whenever you want, and that's just awesome. However, with such a huge store of movies, many of them crappy, how are you to find all the stuff worth watching? Well, that's where I come in. As a frequent Netflix Instant user, I'm going to tell you all the things you should be putting in your queue. You're welcome, world.
(Note: This is strictly movies I've seen. There are 100s of movies on Netflix I could recommend on reputation alone, but until I get around to seeing them, I won't really know. Also, I tried to keep the list mostly to less mainstream movies that you may not know about)
Documentaries
Exit Through the Gift Shop - A fascinating look at the world of street artists, it'll make you question "what is art?" That sounds kinda boring though, and this film is anything but. Filled with great footage and interesting people (particularly the enigmatic Banksy), it's really a must watch.
Dear Zachary - If you're going to watch this, you should go in knowing as little as possible. Just know that it's as emotionally raw as any documentary I've ever seen, and it will make you cry (I can probably count on one hand the movies that have made me cry, and this is one of them).
The Cove - Exposing an animal rights travesty becomes an honest-to-goodness spy movie, and the result is some of the most striking footage that you're ever going to see in a film like this.
Man on Wire - The gleefully insane true story of a crazy French acrobat who decided he wanted to tightrope walk between the Twin Towers. I can't recommend it highly enough, it's super-entertaining.
Animation
The Secret of Kells - Perhaps the most beautiful film I've ever seen. The artwork is designed to mimic the insular illumination from the Book of Kells, and it's unlike any other animation style you've ever seen. Just strikingly gorgeous.
Mary and Max - The surprisingly touching tale of a girl and the man with Aspergers who becomes her pen pal. It's got a lot of really funny parts, but the real triumph is how much emotion they're able to convey with the claymation.
The Essentials
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - It's my goal in life to get everyone I meet to watch this film. It's my favorite movie of all time, and it's on Instant Watch, you have no excuse for not seeing it.
Brick - Two names that, if there is any justice in the world, will be widely recognized in the coming decade: Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt and director Rian Johnson. Brick is an incredibly bold and sure-handed directing debut from Johnson, a noir detective story set in a high school. It takes a little bit to get used to the slang Johnson has created, but it's well worth it, because Brick is a great story anchored by a tremendous lead performance from JGL.
Memento - You should see this movie. Like with Eternal Sunshine, there is no reason not to. It's one of the top 5 movies of the decade, and the film that introduced the world to Christopher Nolan (you may have seen some of his other films, perhaps Inception and The Dark Knight). Go watch it, thank me later.
Let The Right One In - This one is going to be a tougher sell, but I don't care because you need to see this movie. If you don't like watching foreign films because you have to read the subtitles, I don't care. I'm not a huge fan of it either, but it's so totally worth it for this film. It's hauntingly beautiful, and the young girl playing Eli gives an absolutely otherworldly performance.
Other Interesting Stuff
The Hudsucker Proxy - I've decided that I really like the Coen Brothers when they're doing zany comedies, like this and O Brother Where Art Thou. It's a glorious pastiche of film tropes, but it's plenty funny on its own merit, and Tim Robbins gives a great performance.
Big Fan - One of the most surprising developments of recent years has been the revelation that Patton Oswalt, one of the best stand-up comics working today, is a really good dramatic actor. This small film about a sports superfan who gets beat up by his team's star hangs entirely on Oswalt's performance, and he's really, really good in it.
TiMER - I stumbled on this one because it stars Emma Caufield (of Buffy fame). It's not a great movie, but it does have a really great sci-fi premise. It's an enjoyable film that I think a lot of people would like, and Caufield does a good job as the lead.
Stand-Up Comedy
Norm MacDonald: Me Doing Stand-Up - I love Norm MacDonald, always have. His dry, understated, sarcastic delivery just hits right in the sweet spot for me. This special is a great set by him, particularly a bit about the news which spirals into Norm describing what he would do if he were a serial killer. It's fantastic.
Louis C.K.: Chewed Up - It's almost undisputed fact in the comedy world that Louis C.K. is the best stand-up working right now. You should check him out.
John Oliver: Terrifying Times - You probably know John Oliver from his work as a correspondent on The Daily Show. If you like him there (and why wouldn't you, he's awesome), check this special out to hear him riff on American commercialism and Oreo pizzas.
Brian Regan: Standing Up/The Epitome of Hyperbole - Regan is one of the rare comics who manages to appeal to basically every demographic, and also the rare comedian who keeps his act clean. He's tremendously funny, and appropriate for most anyone. There are two of his specials on Instant Watch, so what are you waiting for? Seriously, if you don't like Brian Regan, you might be dead inside.
TV Shows
As great as the Instant Watch selection of movies is, the selection of TV shows is even better. The last decade or so has really been a golden era of TV, and Instant Watch allows you to catch up on a great many of the series that you missed.
Terriers - A poorly marketed and poorly titled show that couldn't find an audience and suffered an unjust early cancellation, Terriers is a show about two down on their luck Private Investigators, but that description really doesn't do justice to how great the character work is in this short-lived series. It's only 13 episodes, so you really should check it out. I guarantee that by the end you'll be wishing there were more episodes to watch.
Firefly - Another unjustly short-lived show. I'm listing these first because they're both fantastic and they don't require a big time commitment. I've literally never introduced anyone to Firefly and had them not like it. Watch it, and be prepared to fall in love with Nathan Fillion.
Buffy/Angel - See here for why you should watch this show.
Friday Night Lights - "But I don't even like football," you say. Doesn't matter. The show is about football, but it's about SO much more than that. It's a character-driven drama that is amazingly real and grounded. Plus, if you don't love Eric and Tami Taylor, you're a bad person.
Battlestar Galactica - One of the most ambitious shows of the past decade (perhaps ever), Ronald Moore took a ridiculous, goofy Star Wars rip-off and reinvented it as a gritty, powerful drama that is the best piece of of hard sci-fi from the 00s.
Arrested Development - The single funniest TV show of all time, and it's not remotely close.
Currently Running Shows
Parks and Recreation - I've discussed before my love of the NBC show "Community", and how it's hilarious and seems to be targeted directly at nerds like me. That said, Parks and Rec is the best comedy sitcom on TV right now. It's hilarious, but it's also a warm, upbeat show that cares deeply about its characters.
Breaking Bad - As detailed, I watch a LOT of different TV shows. As such, I have somewhat high standards for my TV watching. So, when I say that Breaking Bad is far-and-away the best show currently on TV, hopefully that means something.
